Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Giants need a backup running back, but they will not sign one this week. The basic reason is that if they make a signing after Week 1, the contract will not be guaranteed. There are complicated rules about how players have to get paid, but many of them are relaxed for mid-season rules, so the Giants will look to use that. Furthermore, they can give Da’Rel Scott a chance at playing in game one.
The Giants need a running back after Andre Brown suffered a small fracture in his leg. He is on the IR-designated to return list, so he should be back after Week 8. The Giants have suggested a Week 10 return as a target date. Brown was not simply just a backup running back, as he was expected to get some carries as well, including the goal line touches. The injury to Brown certainly hurt the Giants’ offense, but the Giants were grateful to hear that he avoided surgery and can return sooner.
Whoever the Giants sign will probably only be with the team on a short term basis and more there in case David Wilson goes down. The Giants have little cap room to sign big-name players. Fans hoping for Michael Turner or Willis McGahee to be signed will be disappointed. As of now, the most likely candidate seems like Jonathan Dwyer, an ex-backup running back for the Steelers. Another possibility is Leon Washington, who worked out for Big Blue.
Whoever the Giants sign will not be a long-term solution, hence why they will wait a week to make the signing and avoid having to pay a fully guaranteed contract.
Jay Cullen is New York Giants writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter or add him on Google.
